Rostec is going to build a gas pipeline in Pakistan

A subsidiary of the Russian state corporation Rostekhnologii proposes to build a pipeline that will supply gas from Iran to Pakistani cities. The project is estimated at $ 2.5 billion. The pipeline will stretch nearly 1,100 kilometers from Karachi in the south of Pakistan to Lahore in the northeast.

This is the first major project in Pakistan in the past 40 years in which Russians are involved. The project provides for the construction of five compressor stations. The gas pipeline should be ready for commissioning in 2017. During construction, the maximum possible use of technologies, materials, equipment and Russian-made products is expected. In addition, the participation of Russian research, design and construction organizations is expected.

Pakistan, for its part, guarantees the right to use land on a specific pipe-laying route, and also guarantees damages to Russian companies in case of unforeseen situations. Rostechnadzor's partner in the project will be the State Gas System controlled by Pakistan. The press service of the state corporation stated that “The project is being implemented under the BOOT scheme. The gas pipeline will be owned by the project company for 25 years. Then the ownership will be transferred to Pakistan. " Earlier, Rostekhnadzor talked about attracting Russian as well as foreign investors. But Rostekhnadzor is under sanctions, so it is practically impossible to attract loans from Western banks. Therefore, given the political significance of the project, public funds can be obtained, for example, from VEB.

Energy scarcity in Pakistan is one of the main economic problems, in addition to political ones. The population is constantly faced with rolling blackouts. The development of relations with Pakistan for a long time lagged behind the traditional developed relations of Russia with India, but now Moscow must hurry up so as not to lose the Pakistani route to China, which is becoming Islamabad's main economic partner. China and Pakistan tentatively agreed to build a pipeline from Iran to Pakistan in April this year, called the "Pipeline World." Islamabad has been in secret negotiations with China for months to build its section of the pipeline, which requires $ 2 billion in funding.

Experts believe that it is important for Russia to strengthen its position in Pakistan from a geopolitical point of view, since in the future the country may become the main transit route to India.